8EC0NH ^OPV, 
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

-pS 3 5~C 3 
Chap.. Copyright No. 

Shelf.tAXl/°4 
J-9t T9 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



(poems* 



BY V 

CORA C. BASS. 

[Harley Vane.] 



LOWELL, MASS.: 

Lawlrr & Co., Printers, 36 Central Street. 

1899. 

L 



. Ait 






32376 



Copyright by 
CORA C. BASS. 

1899. 



TWOCOPko vtGCIVED. 







PREFACE. 



Thanks are due to The New York Observer, The 
Churchman, Zion's Herald, Christian Register, The 
Standard, Outing, Boston Transcript, Portland Tran- 
script, The New England Home Magazine, and 
others, for permission to re-print poems of mine that 
have appeared in their columns. 

CORA C BASS. 



CONTENTS. 



The Sweetest Song's 7 

Unbidden Guests 9 

Sea and Cliff 10 

The March of Time 11 

A Gift 12 

Would We Dwell on the Mountain Height ? 14 

Chill not the Heart that Trusts Thee 15 

He Lies in State 16 

Hope-On-River 17 

At Sea 18 

Mirth 19 

Flora 20 

Where Passaconaway Was Wont to Stand 21 

Spring- 22 

Kearsarg-e 23 

Dead on the Field of Battle 24 

Listen, Comrades 28 

Memorial Poem 33 

Arise, My Soul 37 

A Hymn of Praise 38 

Brig-lit as the Sunshine After Showers 40 

Bunker Hill 41 

Rising- Tide 43 

The Glorious Fourth 44 

The Lord will Provide 47 

Joy 49 

The Missing- Path 50 

Life 51 

Another Day 52 

The Future 53 



Do Not Say That the World is Cold 54 

A Song- to the Zephyr 56 

Laugh and be Happy 58 

Spare the Trees 59 

Thoughts of You 60 

True, Ah, True, the Roses Fall 62 

Laugh On 64 

The Worker Bee 65 

The Comforter : 66 

The Clouds Cannot Last Forever 67 

The Heart That is Hard to Win 68 

Sleep, Minstrel, Sleep 69 

The Storm 70 

'Mid Eternal Snow 71 

Our Dear Ones 72 

Even-Tide 74 

Press On ! 75 



Vmms. 



THE SWEETEST SONGS. 

The sweetest songs are left unsung-, 

The sweetest themes unread, 
The sweetest chords are left unstrung, 

The sweetest words unsaid. 
How strange it is, and yet how true, 

Surpassing mortal ken, 
We still can catch a blessed view 

Of thought and times and men. 

Though brightest paths remain unknown, 

And few the heights we tread, 
Though we must struggle on alone 

With deepest tears unshed; 
Although our hearts are anguish wrung 

And ev'ry effort pain, 
If we can keep another young, 

We have not lived in vain. 



'Tis said the fairest buds decay; 

Perhaps they do, and yet, 
Upon the darkest, dullest way 

How many flowers are met. 
The happy hours so quickly flee 

We sig-h to see them g-o, 
When out upon life's troubled sea 

The moments move so slow. 

Shall sweetest song-s be left unsung-? 

The sweetest themes unread? 
The sweetest chords be left unstrung? 

The sweetest words unsaid? 
When we have but to do our best, 

The very best we can, 
To have the future richly blest 

Of God and truth and man. 



UNHID J) EN GUESTS. 

Good thoug-hts are like the violet demure — 
So sweet, so pure; 
They ope their happy eyes 
'Neath stormy skies, 

Calm and secure. 

As gfuests unbidden thoug*h perchance they come, 
They make the dumb, 

Pale silence blithely ring 

And sad lips sing- 
Most frolicsome. 



10 



SEA AND CLIFF. 

The lurid breakers dash in rifts of white 

Upon the reef, rebounding- to the sky, 

And yet by yonder point the trembling- surf 

In "distance dies: as darkness coils around 

Our rugged path we pause, each nerve alert. 

How grand the march majestic of the night 

Amid the raging tempest's grim display 

Of rain and hail and that too vivid flash 

Which makes the inky blackness more intense! 

But now the pall is riven and behold! 

The beauteous sun, whose rich, prismatic glow 

Illumes a jewelled curtain, poised thereon 

A rainbow plumed for flight, while earth lies wrapped 

In golden glory. Man3 T a sail full set 

Is homeward speeding, bearing happy hearts 

To where love anxious waits and eager eyes 

Will sweetest welcome give. O, World rejoice! 

Confronted by the swift incoming tide, 

With hurried step we scale the dizzy cliff, 

Delivered by the one all-potent hand, 

That ever weiits to still life's sternest storms. 



11 



THE MARCH OF TIME. 

Steadily marching-, swift or slow, 
Moments and months and days they go. 
Moments and months and days and years 
Laden with hope and love and tears. 

Laden with hope that cheered the way 
When earth lay wrapped in twilig-ht gray, 
In twilig-ht gray, till shining- throug-h 
The fair, sweet promise grew and grew. 

Fair, sweet promise of joy, of bliss, 

We should not, could not, would not, miss 

Of bliss so perfect, bliss so true, 

We fain would keep that bliss in view. 

Steadily marching-, swift or slow, 
Moments and months and days they g-o, 
Moments and months and days and years, 
And then — eternity appears. 



12 



A GIFT. 

It was given him in youth, 

Bestowed by a kingly hand ; 
Sweet as the flower of truth, 

When its first fair buds expand. 
It was given him to prize, 

To g-uard with a jealous care ; 
This gift in a humble g-uise 

But precious beyond compare. 

It was given him — he turned 

From promise so close concealed, 
Althoug-h in his soul he yearned 

To follow the unrevealed. 
He turned from a gift which came 

In the flush of boyhood days. 
It clung- to him just the same 

As he trod the world's wild maze. 

It was given him — it slept, 
But would not be cast aside ; 

Till into his heart it crept 

A-quiver with love and pride. 



13 

Yes, into his heart it crept, 

He worked with a new-born skill : 

And whether he laughed or wept 
He worked with a steadfast will. 

It was given him— -he caught 

It close to his heaving breast 
And a miracle was wrought, 

For a genius stood confessed. 
The gift which he held the least 

Was the gift the Lord had sent ; 
Lo, the angel at the feast 

He had misnamed, discontent. 



14 



WOULD WE DWELL ON THE MOUNTAIN 
HEIGHT? 

Would we dwell on the mountain height 
Whence the world is lovely and bright. 
Then we must be eager to climb. 

Ready and willing to press 
For the noble, the true, the sublime, 
To comfort, to bless. 

Would we stand like heroes of yore 
When life's sternest conflicts are o'er. 
Would we stand triumphant at last, 

Or weep the chances we miss 
As the tide of the battle sweeps past — 
To conquer is bliss. 

Would we see the foemen retreat. 
The foemen we dreaded to meet. 
Battalions of pain, of despair : — 

On! it is never too late! 
Let us strive for a heritage fair, 
A royal estate. 



IS 



CHILL NOT THE HEART THAT TRUSTS 
THEE. 

Chill not the heart that trusts thee, O, my soul ! 

Be brave to bear, to suffer, to forgive ; 
Life's tempestuous billows wildly roll 
But love and live. 

Chill not the heart that trusts thee, though thine eyes 

With tears are dim, and ev'ry effort pain; 
A day reveals, perchance, this sad surprise, 
Eternal gain. 

Chill not the heart that trusts thee, dark indeed 

The way may seem, but sacred is the trust 
Of faith, which while it may not stoop to plead 
Is ever just. 

Chill not the heart that trusts thee, cares defeat 

The true, the good, the noble, who can tell? 
Truth's eagle glance may yet direct thy feet 
And all be well. 

Chill not the heart that trusts thee, O, my soul ! 

Be brave to bear, to suffer — to forgive ; 
Life's tempestuous billows wildly roll 
But love and live. 



16 
HE LIES IN STATE. 

Frederic T. Greenkalge. 

He lies in state 
"Neath nature's peerless catafalque of snow, 

The friend beloved, the good, the grand, the 

great, 
He lies in state. 

In silent state ; 
Well may the tide of feeling- fuller flow, 

While men upon his noble worth dilate, 
He lies in state. 

In silent state, 
Our faithful Governor, the fearless foe 

Of ev'ry wrong*. By memory's pearly gate 
He lies in state. 

The regal state, 
That only kingly souls can come to know, 

Which truth and character alone create : 
He lies in state. 



17 



HOPE-ON-RIVER. 

Hope-On-River leads to bliss; 
Who would such a journey miss ? 
O'er the waters, limpid, sweet, 
Floating- to the Saviour's feet. 

Hope-On-River is divine, 
Fairer than the storied Rhine ; 
On its bosom homeward glide, 
Moving with the g-entle tide. 

Hope-On-River runs for all, 
Runs beyond the jasper wall — 
Runs to weary pilgrims bear 
Past the portals of despair. 

Hope-On-River ever flows, 
Purest, sweetest, mortal knows, 
On its waters float to rest 
In the city of the blest. 



18 



AT SEA. 

Afar the timid moonbeams shyly creep 
Behind a purple pall of clouds so drear. 
It smites the captain's loyal heart with fear: 

Vainly would he a keener vig-il keep, 

Yet few would dream the traitor, Danger, near. 
Till through yon misty curtain clean and clear 
And swift the g-leaming- lig-hts of death appear. 

Twin-born. Alas ! men waken from sweet sleep 

Too late to seek escape : the vessel thrills 
In ev'ry nerve, an almost human groan 

Wells from her tortured breast; she reels, she fills 
A hundred ang-uished souls for mercy moan — 

But kindly, Time, the storm of terror stills 
And meek Diana treads the nig-ht alone. 



19 



MIRTH. 

Who has not felt his pulses gaily leap 

And throb and burn, the feeble step grow light 
And freer speed to scale life's fairest height 

As some sweet song, or merry jest or deep 

Toned humorous note lulls lagging care to sleep. 
Man may be mirthful built and yet contrite, 
May bear a buoyant heart through darkest night 

Whilst hope and love their angel vigil keep 
Twin foes of fear and gloom. Oh, loyal soul 

That dares to walk upright with dauntless tread ; 
Amid the din of battle and the roll 

Of thunder-guns storm shattered o'er thy head, 
Press on, press ever onward, to the goal, 

And round thee joy-refulgent freely shed. 



20 



FLORA. 

In a dainty robe of green 

Comes the nodding- daffadilly 

And the stately Easter lily ; 

In the meadows cowslips shimmer. 

Crocuses with dewdrops g-limmer : 

April's smile and May's soft splendor 

Ling-er o'er us g-entle, tender ; 

Fair forg-et-me-nots convene 

In the most delig-htful places ; 

Mount and vale are wrapped in glory. 

Greylock doffs his tippet hoary. 

And Wachusett stands new crowned 

Thanks to Flora, queen of graces ; 

Laurel draped and daisy g-owned. 



21 



WHERE PASSACONAWAY WAS WONT TO 
STAND. 

Where Passaconaway was wont to stand, 
Piercing- the distance with intrepid eye, 
The teeming- mills their rhythmic shuttles ply. 

Many knelt subservient to the hand 

Of that g-ood sachem of a noted band ; 

But labor like a chieftain, leads us high, 
To fairer fields where richer g-uerdons lie 

Than he aspired to win ; the bold demand 

Of Time is met by a triumphant throng- 
Which presses onward, upward, evermore ; 

And cities in their children true as strong- 
Live worthy the brave men who marched before. 

Speeding- the hum of Industry's g"lad song- 
O'er heig-hts the noble red man trod of yore. 



22 



SPRING. 

Wooed by thy balmy breath, O witching- Spring-. 
The woodland nymphs are charming us anew. 
And yon blue dome acquires a richer hue. 

Waked from its winter's sleep on gauzy wing-. 

The butterfly flits past no more to cling- 
A slave forlorn to some enamored branch. 
How joyfully the laughing lilies launch 

Their dainty barques ; they safe at anchor swing- 
In many a sylvan nook. Swift and free 

The swallow skims athwart the river's breast 
A burnished emblem of the glancing sea 

Which ever glimmers in a vague unrest: — 
xVn image beautiful, content to be 

By minds diverse in divers colors dressed. 



23 



KEARSARGE. 

Long- as thy sponsors stand in regal pride, 

Aurora's kiss on each benignant brow, 

Will men with laurel fair thy fame endow ; 
The stricken Alabama shall provide 
The queen gem in thy priceless crown ; the tide 

Which racked thy battle-scarred and hoary prow, 

Yet seeks in rhythm tender to avow 
How by Roncador's will, alas, ye died. 

Columbia well thy deeds may deify, 
In liberty immortal rise, be blest, 

While stars with march majestic, tread the sky, 
Thy home behold in every free man's breast; 

Piratic torch and Boreas but vie 
When — lo! with charms sublime they thee invest. 



24 



DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. 



Written by request, and read at Huntington Hall, Memorial Even- 
ing Services, i8qb. 



Dead on the field of battle, the sacrifice complete, 

With none to tell the story of that last sublime re- 
treat, 

The fearless rush to conquer and the awful price 
it cost 

When riven lines were reeling- like a vessel tempest 
tossed . 

Dead on the field of battle, the glowing- words in- 
spire 

The courag-e of the hero as he meets the foeman's 
fire ; 

His bayonet is flashing in the thickest of the fight. 

An invincible aveng-er of liberty and right. 

Dead on the held of battle, away from home and 

friends 
And dying- for the country ev'ry loyal son defends. 



25 



The clash of arms around him with the battlefield 

his bier. 
He gives his life a ransom for the flag" he holds so 

dear. 

Dead on the field of battle, untroubled by its roar 
The willing - hands are quiet as they never were 

before ; 
The eag-er eyes are fading- and the pleasant smile 

has flown, 
But the record he is leaving - is evermore his own. 

Dead on the field of battle, we search but search 

in vain 
To find the missing- martyr 'mid the leg-ions of the 

slain ; 
Downtrodden in the conflict there is nothing- left to 

show 
The consecrated service of the one who lies below. 

Dead on the field of battle, let patient mourners 

weep, 
Nor dream that eulogies alone can bless the watch 

they keep ; 



26 



Fur sacred is the hallowed spot where fairest blos- 
soms bloom. 

And where our starry banner waves above the sol- 
diers' tomb. 

Dead on the field of battle, in nameless graves they 
He, 

A host of gallant comrades 'neath a tender south- 
ern sky : 

And no man knows the number, or beheld them as 
they fell. 

Or hopes to pierce the silence where they now so 
calmly dwell. 

Dead on the field of battle. — on Freedom's holy 

shrine. 
But Honor's hand shall point us to their monument 

divine. 
A catafalque of glory that abides above the brave. 
This great and growing- Union they so freel}' died 

to save. 

Dead on the field of battle,— the battlefield of life. 
Unmindful of its turmoil and the ceaseless din of 
strife ; 



27 



Thoug-h many still may linger of the brave, the 

tried, the true, 
They all must quickly g-ather for the final grand 

review. 

Dead on the field of battle? Nay, living- heroes 
come 

With martial note, with banners furled, with sadly 
muffled drum ; 

We hear the dirg-es wailing- past upon the fragrant 
breeze, 

And know they swell and sob and die, o'er thou- 
sands such as these. 

Dead on the field of battle, the bug-le sweet and 

clear 
Is telling- how they foug-ht and bled, these soldiers 

we revere ; — 
These noble comrades, honor crowned, now moving- 

on abreast 
To love's eternal camping- ground and to eternal 

rest. 



28 



LISTEN, COMRADES. 



Written by request and read at Huntington HoIL Memorial Even- 
ing Services, /8q/. 



Listen, comrades, deep and tender is the burden of 

the strain, 
Like a restful benediction to the battle weary 

brain. 
Over vale and wood and mountain, it shall echo 

far and wide, 
Praising- those who foug-ht and conquered, praising 

those who foug-ht and died. 

In the beauty of the spring-time with what rapture 

we have heard 
Thrilling- notes of martial music till the palsied 

limbs have stirred. 
And we felt to still be marching-, marching- as we 

used to do. 
With the grand old flag- before us and the victory 

in view. 



29 



We were brothers, heroes, comrades, as the charging 

lines advanced 
And the brilliant flash of weapons down the surging 

columns glanced ; 
How we struck for home and country through a 

storm of shot and shell, 
And as one we fought and conquered, or as one we 

foug-ht and fell. 

How we struck for home and country 'mid the ardor 
of the fray, 

With our comrades falling- 'round us and an eager 
foe at bay : 

Oh, our willing- hands were steady and our willing- 
hearts were strong-, 

Thoug-h the furloughs were so fleeting- and the way 
so dark and long-. 

Oh, our willing" hands were steady and our hearts 

were strong- to win, 
Though the way was rough and rugged and the 

serried ranks grew thin ; 
Though the way was rough and rugged and our 

eyes were dim with pain, 
We beheld the spires of Richmond over hillocks of 

the slain. 



30 



We beheld the spires of Richmond, with prophetic 

light they shone 
In the tranquil southern sunshine as proclaiming 

her our own ; 
Yet how solemn was the moment when downtrodden 

at our feet 
Lay the patriot, the comrade, with his martyr's 

work complete. 

We beheld the spires of Richmond and Columbia at 

peace ; — 
An eternal badge of giorj 7 in the stricken slave's 

release. 
Names, alone, may be forgotten in the ceaseless 

rush of years, 
But our deeds are doubly hallowed by a nation's 

smiles and tears. 

Will the future find us ready: — ready as in sixty- 
one, 

When we heard the voice of freedom in the boom of 
Sumter's gun? 

Faith and hope and love sustain us, e'en as when 
w r e sought to stand 

In the forefront of the conflict, the defenders of our 
land. 



31 



From the Union constellation not a single star was 

rent, 
For the wealth of pride and party in a common 

cause were blent ; 
And the graceful folds above us, bullet scarred and 

blood embossed 
Are a peerless proclamation of the sacrifice and 

cost. 

Well we know the sacred standard guarding ev'ry 
soldier's grave 

Must remain what we have made it, the insignia of 
the brave ; 

Precious, speaking- of the parting-s that have sanc- 
tified the past, 

Holy — for the great reunion we are looking to at 
last. 

Can we, dare we, be despondent, should we hear 
the midnight call ? 

Would we shun the gracious welcome, with its day 
of rest for all ? 

Nay! a clearer light is dawning when each trusting 
soul shall seem 

Like a vessel gently gliding homeward, heaven- 
ward, with the stream. 



32 



Honor's meed of fragrant blossoms brightly bloom- 
ing- o'er the dead, 

Marks the dear, familiar pathway that their feet 
were wont to tread : 

They are waiting-, as are many in this world so 
sweet and fair, 

Waiting-, waiting-, only waiting-, but the waiting- is 
a prayer. 



33 



MEMORIAL POEM. 



Written by request, and read at Memorial Even- 
ing Services, i8q8. 



Sweet is the breath of the spring-time, when the 
sound of the bugle is heard, 

Its soul thrilling- pagans swift echo the clear ringing- 
notes of a bird ; 

And brig-ht is the face of the hillside for summer's 
own coming- arrayed, 

The voice of the sing-er must falter, the beautiful 
flowers must fade. 

Precious and far more enduring- than the blessing-s 

kind nature bestows 
Is Liberty, firmly abiding-, a peerless memorial of 

those 
Who turned from their calm avocations to cheerfully 

hurry away ; 
For a grateful people preserving- the freedom we 

cherish today. 



34 



We see them ; lo ! here is a father, a brother, a 
lover, a friend, 

They are marching", and marching-, and marching- 
till their kindred forces blend ; 

And boldly they strive to press forward, unawed by 
the battle's dread din, 

So ready to struggle and suffer, to strug-g-le and 
suffer and win. 

Steadfast and faithful and fearless, thoug-h every 

advantag-e they g-ain 
Is a leg-acy, cruel, of sorrow to the loved ones of 

the slain. 
Hark ! to the booming- of cannon, to the shrill 

piercing- scream of a shell, 
And yonder poor widow is weeping- a lad who at 

Gettysburg- fell. 

Leaden hail raining- around him, at the head of the 

column he stood, 
Determined if needs be to die there as only a patriot 

could ; 
And hg-hting- as brave as a lion ; ay, brave as a 

lion at bay, 
He shouted "The Union forever!" and sank in the 

midst of the fray. 



35 



Then holy, thrice holy the record, the blood written 

record of deeds 
Which proves, by the fruit of his effort, the work of 

the martyr succeeds ; 
And fitting- it is that the blossoms should ever be 

destined to shed 
A shower of delicate perfume o'er the hallowed 

graves of the dead. 

Blessed it is to do homage to the men who would 

willingly give 
The promises fair of the future, that we as a nation 

mig-ht live ; 
And whether they fell in the conflict, or wounded 

and weary returned, 
May theirs be the glorious tribute the true hearted 

heroes have earned. 

Sweet is the voice of the springtime when the sol- 
diers assemble as one 

To eulogize those who have fallen in the wake of 
service well done ; 

Many are quietly sleeping- 'neath the blush of the 
warm southern sky, 

But the lilies are blooming- above them and the old 
nag- floats on high. 



36 



They have bivouacked oft in the south-land, the 

enemy fully in view, 
With cities and armies to conquer, herculean duties 

to do ; 
With the earth itself for a pillow, their shelter the 

heaven's blue dome, 
But now all too swiftly and surely, the comrades 

are g-athering home. 

Into the Guardian Presence neither peril nor pas- 
sion intrude, 

When low at the feet of the Saviour the fountain of 
life is renewed ; 

As long- as our country shall prosper, as long as 
our banner shall wave, 

Sever the bonds of oppression as they severed the 
bonds of the slave. 



37 



ARISE, MY SOUL! 

Arise, my soul ! forsake the shadows dreary, 
Where dark and dread battalions line the way ; 

The grandest heights refuse to make us weary 
When we can struggle upward day by day. 

Arise, my soul ! do swift and valiant battle, 
Tread down the foe beneath thy steadfast feet ; 

Fear not the stern assault, the cannon's rattle, 
A moment's failure makes the end more sweet. 

Arise, my soul ! lo ! victory is waiting, 

Be not afraid to suffer and to dare ; 
Push boldly on, no jot of strength abating - , 

The crown is brighter for the cross we bear. 

Arise, my soul ! forsake the shadows dreary, 

Though dark and dread battalions line the way ; 

The grandest heights can never make us weary 
If we but struggle upward day by day. 



38 



A HY3IX OF PRAISE. 

O what gracious g"ifts are ours, when on every hand 
Bursting buds and blushing flowers beautify the 

land ; 
Till a host of treasures lie, delicate and sweet, 
'Neath the mantle of the sky, crushed \>y careless 

feet. 

Many a floral gem is hid in a casket green, 
But a zephyr lifts the lid and its worth is seen ; 
Through the meadows broad and fair, violets de- 
mure 
Scatter incense rich and rare, happy and secure. 

As the seasons glide along-, earth's a pleasant 

place, 
Just a miracle of song-, typical of grace : 
Wondrous visions charm the eye while the moments 

flee, 
Each a messag-e from on high sent to you and me. 

See the swallows, how they roam in a ceaseless 

flight, 
Ever on the wing for home chanting their delight. 



39 



Dare we steep our raptured souls in external bliss 
As life's mystery uprolls from fate's dull abyss? 

Hark ! the mag-ic touch of Spring- wakes a tender 

chord, 
O it is a joy to bring- tribute to our Lord ; 
Jesus calls us from despair, offers peace for strife ; 
Our's the g-ift of praise and prayer; His, eternal 

life. 



40 



BRIGHT AS THE SUNSHINE AFTER 
SHO WERS. 

When the heart lies crushed 'neath a load of sor- 
row, 

When life's broad river moves sad and slow ; 
When hope is lost in a dread to-morrow, 

Where all is worry and weig-ht and woe ; 
When hands reject the cross they carry, 

When feet would falter and strength would fail, 
When better days seem bound to tarry ; 

Eyes grow tearful and lips grow pale. 

When even the pleasantest hours are dreary, 

And each new effort is like despair ; 
When we are so worn and weak and weary, 

We fain would yield to the cruel care ; 
Bright as the sunshine after showers, 

The smile of a friend illumes the way ; 
Strewing- the rugged path with flowers, 

Turning- the even-tide to day. 



41 



THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

No bridges stood uniting - shore with shore 
And houses, bounded by the busy stream 
On either hand, were few ; men caught a gleam 

Of crippled Boston, through whose highways tore 

The troops ; embarking, on they swiftly bore 
'Mid roaring cannon and the awful scream 
Of shells ; poor puppets of a royal scheme 

To King Taxation's iron rule restore. 

The honest sod recoiled from their hot tread, 

But baffled fury trod with reckless haste 

Till hemmed about by their own slaughtered dead 

When twice the dizzy charge had been retraced ; 
They found no weakling foe was that ahead 

And shivered at the task which yet they faced. 

Above doomed Charlestown bombs were bursting 
shrill, 
And flaming steeples pierced the pitying sky 
As eager feet kept marching, marching by 
To where the cheer triumphant sent a thrill 
Athwart the loyal breast of Bunker Hill. 

"Aim low and fire!" Well might the red-coats fly 
Before the "echo'' of brave Prescott's cry, 



42 



A cry that speared them with defeat's cold chill. 

Thoug-h twice Columbia's pulse victorious stirred, 
Ere twilight could her sable shield prepare, 

A long- derisive "British yell" was heard 
To summon forth battalions of despair ; 

When it was only victory deferred 
To even lure the "Lion" from his lair. 

With muskets clubbed our fathers held the slope 
Which midnight saw them arming- for the fray, 
And still they strove to keep the foe at bay ; 

Beside the fence they saw their comrades cope 

With those who would fore'er the star of hope 
Eclipse behind the slavery cloud and say : — 
"Thus Monarchy subdues her rebel prey." 

Althoug-h the fields were red they would not grope 
But dared the "Glasg-ow," dared the lance, the 
gun ; 

And, founders of a nation, boldly sought 
On Prospect's brow the rest so nobly won, 

While other lands the blessed tidings caught 
Of daring deeds by "mere provincials" done, 

And marveled at the skill with which they fought. 



43 



RISING TIDE. 

Foam flecked the fragrant waves rush gayly up 
The creamy beach, or sport amid the reefs, 
With songs triumphant, on and on they come ; 
And as the fair horizon bends her bow 
To guard the bay, a "liner" dim discerned 
Is signaled ere she softly sinks from view 
Behind the purple curtain of the deep. 

Glance, graceful gull, — 
Through rifts of spray, until my raptured soul 
Baptized with joy attunes its eager harp 
To Ocean's mood ... so redolent with life, 
And hope, and destiny. 



44 



THE GLORIOUS FOURTH. 

On echo's pinions words inspired went ringing 

through the land, 
To bid the colonies as one for Independence stand. 
And Adams. Franklin, Livingston, were typical of 

men 
Who watched the march prophetic of the Jefferso- 

nian pen. 
Which wrote: k, We are and ought to be" and lo ! 

they seemed to see 
A wreath of golden glory frame the magic emblem 

. • f rce / » i 

Oh, deep the joy that stirred the brave as Philadel- 
phia's bell 

Gave forth the grateful tidings in a fervent "all is 
well!" 

And sternest voices quivered while the laughter born 

of tears 
Disclosed a richer cadence in the quick, triumphant 

cheers; 
Though gazing down the vale of time, how could 

they then behold 



45 



The beauty of a government of so divine a mould ? 
While booming- cannon shook the shore for many a 

dreary day, 
Columbia stood majestic 'mid the ardor of the fray; 
And in the act which swept aside the royalty of birth 
Beheld a matchless kingdom, and the emperor was 

Worth, 

No more could Monarchy pretend to plant an iron heel 

Upon a weary people or the last forlorn appeal; 

And when Britannia rashly strove to break the spell 
defeat, 

She only made the footing- of the Union more com- 
plete. 

For, by Mount Vernon's sacred shade, on Erie's 
broad expanse, 

The foe again was banished by the steady cry: 
' 'Advance ! " 

And laurel wreathed must Perry's name indellibly 
be traced 

Upon the roll of honor which can never be effaced. 

The "Glorious Fourth" of Sixty-three saw Vicks- 

burg doomed to fall, 
As gallant sons of Freedom pressed rebellion to the 

wall; 



46 



And while progression's brilliant light illumes the 

tender sky 
The heroes of the present must the present need 

supply. 
What happiness to meditate on how the nation grew 
Till swift electric chargers dare the steeds of steam 

pursue; 
How good it is to feel, to know, the truth of this 

decree 
That "God made all men equal" and be3 T ond denial 

"Free." 



47 



THE LORD WILL PROVIDE. 

"The Lord will provide," a blackbird sings, 
Folding to rest his raptured wings ; 
List to the song of the drowsy wind, — 
"The Lord will provide for he is kind." 

"The Lord will provide," a farmer's stay, 
When storms, like foemen, throng the way ; 
"Though blight bewilder the crops this year, 
The Lord will provide, good wife, no fear." 

"The Lord will provide," a widow's moan 
Longing for joy the past has known ; 
The weary needle forgets its woe 
As "He will provide," she whispers low. 

"The Lord will provide," a sore heart sighed, 
"I in his boundless love confide." 
A step came staggering to the door ; 
The Lord will provide forever more. 

"The Lord will provide," a father said, 
My darlings will not want for bread ; 



48 

He who sees the wounded sparrow fall 
Will surely provide for one and all. 

''The Lord will provide," sang- Baby Nell; 
How sweetly the assurance fell 
On the spirit worn with grief and pain, 
Till the fainting - faith revived ag-ain. 

"The Lord will provide, my mamma, dear,' 
And swift she kisses the healing- tear 
From the grateful mother's pallid cheek ; 
"The Lord provides for the poor and weak.' 

"The Lord will provide," an orphan wails, 
As every spring- of living- fails ; 
"The Lord will provide," the martyr cries 
And, lo ! with a smiling face he dies. 



49 



JOY. 

I sought for it everywhere 
In the circuit of earth and of air ; 
In the blessing-s ambition will bring- ; 
In beautiful, bountiful spring-. 
[ soug-ht for it hig-h and low, 
Where thoug-ht of a mortal may go ; 
But never a trace could I find ; 
I could not, for lo ! I was blind. 



so 



THE MISSING PATH. 

Why should it seem so pleasant, the path we missed 

to-day ? 
With flowers fair and fragrant that ran along the 

way ; 
The sky all bright above it ; the breezes balmy 

sweet, 
Why should it seem so pleasant, the path we fain 

would meet. 

Why should it seem so pleasant, although we could 

not see 
Its living lines of beauty unfolding full and free? 
Well we knew each winding would our weary feet 

invite, 
Gliding upward, onward, through the realms of life 

and light. 

Why should it seem so pleasant, the path we missed 

to-day, 
Blooming fresh and fragrant as the flowers of the 

May ? 
The sky all bright above it ; the breezes balmy 

sweet, 
Why should it seem so pleasant, the path we fain 

would meet ? 



51 

LIFE. 

Life ivS like the ocean 

Broad and deep ; 
Billows of emotion 

O'er it sweep ; 
We must battle boldly 

With the tide, 
Lest it waft us coldly 

Far and wide. 

Life is bright or dreary 
Where we dwell ; 

Though our feet are weary. 
All is well, 

Ever bravely pressing 
On our way ; 

Fairer is the blessing- 
Day by day. 

Life is like a jewel 

In the rough ; 
Cut it, be not cruel 

Just enoug-h. 
Polish, till its glory 

Full, divine, 
Tells a noble story ; 

Even thine. 



52 



ANOTHER DAY. 

Another day, another day, 

How swiftly it has sailed away. 

It brought us moments, — precious thing-s. 

Of fairy frame and willing- wings ; 
But as they flee, we sigh and say, 
"Alas, for thee, another day!" 

Another day, another day 

Is riding- boldly on its w T ay ; 
May we be brave to do and bear, 
And in its full fruition share ! 

For sweet it is when we can say, 

"How good to have another day. 



S3 



THE FUTURE. 

The work of the future ! How much it may mean 

To you and to me. 
'Mid the wide-sweeping - meadows of truth we may 

glean 
Unchallenged, unseen; 

As blithe as a bee. 

And then of a sudden, on some g-olden morn, 

The world shall agree 
Of the mother, Ambition, a g-enius is born ; 
Nay! be not forlorn, 

The future is free. 



54 



DO NOT SAY THAT THE WORLD IS COLD, 

Do not say that the world is cold. 

The world is a g-lorious place, 
And friends are the same as of old 

For each has a generous face. 
It is only ourselves that have changed. 

The present eclipses the past, 
And we are too early estrang-ed 

From the love which endures to the last. 

This pride, is it never to blame? 

Is the word so easy to speak 
Withheld, while we barter for fame 

The life we are yearning to seek? 
'Mid the desolate tracks of the soul. 

Full oft an oasis is hid 
By turning aside from the goal, 

Or the too sudden droop of a lid. 

Alas ! as we go on alone, 

How little we value the cost 
Of sacrifice, save for our own, 

In the joy another has lost. 



55 



Should we pause to consider the heart, 
And fathom the depth of its grief, 

No power could keep us apart. 

Though the parting were never so brief. 

It is ours to bask if we will 

Within the bright sunlight of truth ; 
To sip of the cup which we fill 

In the fair, sweet morning of youth. 
And our friends, they are ever our own 

To comfort, to cherish, sustain ; 
Though often the care is unknown, 

'Tis enough if we banish the pain. 

Enough, when we give of our best, 

A brother is cheered on his way ; 
Enough, if the weary may rest 

'Mid the fervid heat of the day. 
'T is enough if the burden we bear 

But eases the load of a friend ; 
Enough, if the burden we share, 

We are worthy to share to the end. 



56 



A SONG TO THE ZEPHYR. 

The drowsy waves are lulled to rest, 
Are lulled to rest on ocean's breast; 
On ocean's breast that g-ently swells 
Like Moore's delightful "Evening- Bells." 

Those bells that with bewitching- chime 
Go pealing- down the vale of time ; 
On echo's wing- they swiftly spring - , 
And then athwart the world they ring-. 

Oh, dainty zephyr sweep the deep 
And bid the languid pulses leap ; 
Oh, sweep the deep with fragrant sighs, 
In sweet communion with the skies. 

From favored regions far beyond, 
We catch a glimmer of thy wand ; 
Thy mag-ic wand whose happy charm 
Shall every foe of love disarm. 

So what care we for idle fear, 
For idle fear when thou art near ; 
When thou art near to waft along- 
The kindred graces — joy and song-. 



57 

Oh, dainty zephyr, sweep the deep 
Where dimpled muses softly sleep ; 
Asleep in ocean's arms they lie, 
Like autumn in the tranquil sky. 

Fulfil the soul's supreme desire, 
To liquid notes the harp inspire ; 
To music sweet as wood and lake 
When fair Aurora cries "Awake!" 

Ay, dainty zephyr, fan the sea 
And bid yon schooner dance with glee ; 
Yon schooner dance with glee, to breast 
The billows in their vague unrest. 

Come, O spirit of the breeze, 
I hear a whisper in the trees ; 
A whisper in the trees, and now 
I feel fair fingers on my brow. 

The harp to sweeter pitch is strung-, 
To sweeter pitch the chords are rung- 
Till liquid sweetness stirs the air, 
As if an ang-el floated there. 

Floated there in bliss divine, 
In bliss too holy to define ; 
In bliss so high I sigh, I faint, 
The image of that bliss to paint. 



58 



LAUGH AND BE HAPPY. 

Laug-h and be happy, laug-h while you may, 
Laug-h 'mid the wild, rushing- storms of to-day : 
Breasting- the current when downward it trends, 
Grand is the battle if grandly it ends. 

Laug-h and be happy ; laug-h, it is best, 
Sailing- the wide sweeping- sea of unrest ; 
Thoug-h the dark billows are running- so high, 
Courag-e ! my brother, the haven is nig-h. 

Laugh and be happy, laug-h while you may, 
Laug-h 'mid the wild, rushing storms of to-day : 
Faith, like a beacon lig"ht, woos us along-, 
Fill the g"lad moments with laughter and song-. 



59 



SPARE THE TREES. 

The noble trees that boldly guard the brave 
In pride serene ; their lofty domes are sweet 
To pavement-weary eyes, and town-worn feet 

Move with a freer step as o'er the grave 

Of Ladd, of Whitney, their cool banners wave. 
How passing fair upon the thriving street 
The soothing beauty of this calm retreat ; 

Awake, O city ! and thine ancients save. 

What grace the tone refined of sylvan shade 

Sheds on the busy square ; the Hall, embossed 
With figures quaint by Sol himself inlaid. 

Throw down the pruning axe and count the cost ; 
Ay, spare the trees ; let none the theme evade, 

For what is "time," when such as these are lost. 



60 



THOUGHTS OF YOU. 

I have thought of you many times 

On blissful heights ; in the vale of woe; 

Memory's chorus smoothly chimes 

To a rhythmic measure's mellow flow, 
The joyful echo of long- ag-o. 

1 have prayed for you o'er and o'er, 

'Mid a fleet of shadows dark and drear 

Coasting- close by the silent shore ; 
My grateful spirit is ever near, 
Unchecked by peril, unawed by fear. 

I have trusted you. faithful, true, 

Though the tempest's wrathful fing-ers rend 
Hope's tortured sails and doubts pursue, 

What matter whither the storm may trend ? 

With love my compass and you my friend. 

I have wanted } t ou more and more 

While threading- the world's delusive maze ; 

Deaf to its ceaseless rush and roar 

Through a dreary medley of weary days, 
We still could journey in kindred ways. 



61 



I have watched for you, watched in vain, 
To the smiling- future clinging- fast; 

The even-time of grief, of pain 

Must yield to a beautiful dawn at last 
When the heavy clouds have drifted past. 



62 



TRUE, AH, TRUE, THE ROSES FALL. 



Companion to " Leaf by Leaf the Roses Faliy 

True, ah, true, the roses fall, 

And in drops the springs run dry ; 
Slowly, surely, past recall, 

Summer beauties hasten by. 
True, the roses bloom again 

And the springs gush forth anew, 
Singing sweeter for the pain 

That could check but not subdue. 

Ay, we know how deepest gloom 

Makes the springs of gladness fail ; 
But when in their richest bloom 

Droop the roses, wan and pale ; 
Search and find the hope that strives, 

Poor, downtrodden germ apart ; 
Nurture kindly till it thrives, 

Fairest blossom of the heart. 



63 

Dark may be the days and years 

Strewn with leaves of roses dead ; 
Smile we brighter for the tears 

When the northern winds have fled. 
Sing-er sweet, the thoug-ht is true, — 

Roses fade and spring-s run dry ; 
But there 's nothing old or new 

That has life can ever die. 

Sweetest hopes must needs be fed 

If they 'd spring- to life anew, 
When grief's winter shall have fled, 

Giving place to sun and dew ; 
When earth withers like the rose, 

All its treasure leaves closed up, 
Then that other blossom blows 

Life immortal in its cup. 



64 



LAUGH ON. 

Laug-h on ! happy heart, 
For the sunshine part 

Is sweetest to play ; 

It works in a way, 
The acme of art. 

With a merry start 
Let it onward dart ; 

Throug-h the night, the day, 
Laug-h on. 

In the busy mart, 
The worry and smart ; 

Of living- be g-ay 

And banish dismay ; 
Laugh on! happy heart, 
Laug-h on. 



65 



THE WORKER BEE, 

Through the fields of nodding- clover 
Comes a dainty little rover ; 
On from bud to blossom hasting-, 
Not the smallest moment wasting. 
Ever gay and uncomplaining, 
Nature's honeyed chalice draining; 
Merry little worker bee, 
Ev'ry day a jubilee. 

Past the " red-cap's" fragrant bower 
To a modest sister flower, 
In whose tender heart reposes 
All the sweets of all the roses ; 
Then with golden trophies laden 
Homeward hums this busy maiden ; 
Merry little worker bee, 
Ev'ry day a jubilee. 



66 



THE COMFORTER. 

He seeketh the rich and the poor, 

The weary, long- suffering-, sad ; 
He g-iveth them streng-th to endure, 

He maketh them g-lad. 
Out of the midst of their sorrow 

He bring-eth them peace ; 
Ruleth to-day as to-morrow, 

When sorrow shall cease. 



67 



THE CLOUDS CANNOT LAST FOREVER. 

The clouds cannot last forever, my friend, 

To-day or to-morrow the sun must shine ; 
The heaviest showers must have an end, 

For that is the Will Divine. 
Our hearts are heavy when clouds hang- low 

And tempests of sorrow sweep the land ; 
But sooner or later they all must go, 

And then we shall understand. 



68 



THE HEART THAT IS HARD TO WIN. 

Is there a heart that is hard to win, 

A heart to itself untrue? 
Never is heart so wrapped in sin 

That the light cannot creep through. 
Never are feet so slow to climb 

As the feet too softly shod ; 
Never is life so full, sublime, 

As the life that leads to God. 



69 



SLEEP, MINSTREL, SLEEI J .' 



Celia Thaxter. 



Sleep, minstrel, sleep ! 
The island home is lonely, dear, to-day, 
And moaning- billows ceaseless vigil keep. 

Sleep, minstrel, sleep ! 

Sleep, minstrel, sleep ! 
A hallowed lig-ht illuminates the bay, 
Where thy sweet spirit loved to hymn the deep. 

Sleep, minstrel, sleep ! 

Sleep, minstrel, sleep ! 
Though g-enerations rise and pass away, 
Thy song-s sublime shall still the silence sweep. 

Sleep, minstrel, sleep ! 

Sleep, minstrel, sleep ! 
Beside thy couch eternal fountains play 
And angels hover near thee: — yet, we weep. 

Sleep, minstrel, sleep ! 



70 



THE STORM. 

Off fair Nahant the gulls are sweeping- low, 
And waves beat wild against the rugged wall 
By yonder point. Afar, twin schooners crawl 

Close reefed ; they well may shun the ruddy glow 

That climbs the West, but boldly face the foe. 
From boat to boat resounds a warning call 
As shore and ocean shiver 'neath a pall 

Flame lit. When, tempest-tortured, to and fro 

We flee before the gale, while lances flash 

From passion-freighted clouds ; to hope we cling. 

Though thought runs riot. Storm battalions clash ! 
Can sail survive? Ay, scorn the cruel sting! 

One effort more, just one more fearless dash — 
And white-browed breakers with rejoicings ring. 



71 



'MID ETERNAL SNOW. 

Alone, amid the wild secluded heights 

Where Winter holds his solitary sway, 

We wrestle with the fury of the storm, 

The savag-e sleet and passion-laden g-ale ; 

A sleeping- avalanche beneath our feet 

And ice-capped giants menacing- the way. 

Behold, athwart the ebon brow of nig-ht 

The "fire-zoned orb" with beauteous lig-ht illumes 

A distant mountain's irridescent rim ; 

And morning- flits with swift, impetuous step 

Adown the snow-clad slopes, benig-nant, free. 

Below us lie the valleys, urns of g-loom, 

Concealing- nature's precious treasure trove. 

From thence a hundred peaks 
Proclaim the royal conquest of the dawn ; 
All rosy-robed and g-olden-crowned they stand, 
Their rich prismatic splendors softly limned 
Upon the dappled curtain of the sky. 



72 



OUR DEAR ONES. 

How tender we are of our dear ones, we never can 
smile at their pain ; 

We never can laug-h when they sorrow, we never 
can love them in vain. 

How careful we are of our dear ones, what sympa- 
thy wakes at a glance ; 

What happiness waits on their presence to ev'ry 
new blessing- enhance. 

How patient we are with our dear ones, thoug-h 

hearts may with ang-uish be wrung-; 
We ever are one with their sadness, no matter how 

timid or young. 
How g-entle we are with our dear ones when swiftly 

the tide rushes by ; 
How ready to share in each trouble, how ready to 

echo each sig-h. 

How loving- we are with our dear ones, ambitious 

to lig-hten the cross ; 
More anxious to carry the burden, the greater the 

pain and the loss. 



73 



How pleasant we are with our dear ones, how 

gladly with them we rejoice ; 
How eager to follow their footsteps, from duty, and 

pleasure, and choice. 



74 



EVEN-TIDE. 

What ruddy splendor floods the molten west ! 
The quiet hills with matchless brilliance burn 
Like richest jewels set in liquid gold, 
Fit diadem to crown the brow of day. 
Through tranquil fields in living glory lapped 
The river moves triumphant to the sea ; 
Fair from the mellow distance, mist defined, 
Stand forth sedate, the town's own peaceful spires. 
Look up ! thou weary one, be not cast down, 
For sweet the message of the even-tide. 



/£> 



PRESS ON. 

Press on! Why shouldst thou falter? Forward, 
soul ! 
When, tempest-like, the conflict surges past ; 
Thoug-h o'er thee seething- waves of trouble roll, 
They cannot last. 

Press on ! nor faint, nor fail, whate'er betide ; 

May each successive blow be bravely met, 
For hope shall cleave the closer to thy side 
And save thee yet. 

Press on! Why shouldst thou falter? Forward, 
soul ! 
What matter thoug-h the way is roug-h and wild? 
If thou canst keep thine eye upon the g*oal, 
Be reconciled. 

Press on ! the fierce assailant boldly faced 

Is half subdued, and he who will may climb ; 
That life upon a g-ood foundation based 
Has conquered Time. 



MAY SI 1899 



